Although negative stereotypes about elderly drivers persist, a fair amount of evidence seems to debunk the notion that younger drivers are safer than elderly motorists. A number of studies indicate that the experience, caution, and judgment that comes with age might trump age-related declines in vision, reflexes, and mental acuity. Admittedly, advanced age can have an adverse impact on mental and physical driving ability, but age-related traffic safety data indicates that the aging U.S. population does not necessarily mean a rise in motor vehicle accident rates or fatalities.
Multiple studies suggests that traditional assumptions about the relationship between aging and driving ability might not tell the whole story. Empirical research from a range of studies indicates a number of age-related factors that reduce the risk of crashes involving seniors when compared to young drivers. The tendency of elderly drivers to avoid high risk behavior is one of the most significant.
While there are many factors that contribute to auto accidents, the most significant cause involves high risk driving behavior. Two of the most prominent forms of risky driving involve substance impairment and distracted driving. Alcohol and drug impaired drivers account for approximately one in three traffic fatalities per year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although distractions like mobile phones do not claim as many lives, distracted driving is perhaps the fastest growing cause of injuries and deaths in vehicle collisions.
A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that elderly drivers are far less likely than younger motorists to engage in high risk driving practices like distracted driving. While more than eight in ten drivers (82 percent) between the ages of 25 and 39 admitted to talking on their mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle, a mere 34 percent of drivers over the age of 75 affirmed that they engaged in this type of multi-tasking. Similarly, a survey conducted by State Farm found that nearly half (48 percent) of drivers between the age of 18 and 29 confirmed using their phone to surf the web while driving. By contrast, this extremely dangerous driving behavior is almost unheard of among elderly drivers. Approximately 98 percent of older drivers in the AAA study denied ever using a portable electronic device to search the Internet while operating a motor vehicle.
Older drivers also tend to avoid other high risk driving behaviors that cause car accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that almost one-fourth (24 percent) of drivers between the ages of 21 and 64 who were involved in a fatal car accident had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08 percent. Among drivers over the age of 64, the number of drivers involved in a fatal crash with a BAC over the legal limit for drunk driving was only 7 percent.
Seniors over the age of 65 are less prone than younger drivers to engage in other high risk driving practices according to the CDC. While 34 percent of drivers under the age of 65 who are involved in fatal crashes were not wearing a seat belt, only 24 percent of elderly drivers involved in deadly crashes were not buckled up. Elderly drivers also limit their driving at night and in adverse weather conditions when compared to younger drivers.
If you or a loved one suffers injury in a motor vehicle accident caused by a careless driver, you might be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Kansas City Accident Attorneys at Hubbard and Kurtz L.L.P. have over 80 years of collective legal experience. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case, so we invite you to call us today at 877-535-1163 or email us to schedule a time to discuss your auto accident claim.